Fellow Press

Cameron exits after 6 years in office, urges successor to “be close to EU”

Outgoing British prime minister, David Cameron on Wednesday left office after six years.
Flanked by his wife and three children, he admitted it was not an “easy journey” wishing his country “continued success” in its post-Brexit future.

Speaking outside the premier’s Downing Street office before proceeding to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, AFP quoted Cameron as saying: “It’s not been an easy journey and, of course, we’ve not got every decision right but I do believe today our country is much stronger.”

Cameron said he would “miss the roar of the crowd and the barbs from the opposition” that came with the job he has held since 2010.

Pointing wistfully to the capricious winds of politics that abruptly ended his career, he said: “I was the future once.”

Cameron, 49, quit after Britain voted to leave the European Union in a June 23 referendum he called in an attempt to stop his Conservative Party “banging on about Europe” but sensationally lost.

He counselled Theresa May, his long-time interior minister who will be installed as premier later Wednesday.

“My advice to my successor, who is a brilliant negotiator, is that we should try to be as close to the European Union as we can be, for the benefits of trade, of co-operation and of security,” he said in parliament, with May sitting beside him.

Cameron, however, mocked embattled main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who faces a bitter leadership battle of his own.

“We got on with it, we’ve had resignation, nomination, competition and coronation — they haven’t even decided what the rules are yet!”